Choosing RAM

[seekermeister]

I'm trying to decide which RAM or order, to go with a motherboard that I just ordered:

Asus M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 Socket AM3/ AMD 890GX New Board - eBay (item 190510537291 end time Jun-07-11 12:46:06 PDT)

I came across some Patriot RAM that is attractively priced:

Patriot Viper II PGV34G1600ELK 4096MB PC12800 DDR3 Dual Channel Memory Upgrade - 4GB (2 x 2048MB), 1600MHz at TigerDirect.com

But it looks a bit strange with it's notched top edge. I don't want to make the decision based only on looks, so I'm posting in order to get some insight into whether this is my best choice?

This will also be used with an AMD Phenom II X6 1090T processor, if that makes any difference in choosing...also the function where I expect that these decisions may matter most, is for video encoding.

 

[Armoth]

i like the look

 

[seekermeister]

As an addendum to this question, I was wondering how adequate the stock fan on this CPU is:

AMD HDT90ZFBGRBOX Phenom II 1090T Black Edition Six Core Processor - 3.20GHz, 6MB Cache, 2000MHz (4000 MT/s) FSB, Retail, Socket AM3, Processor with Fan at TigerDirect.com

 

[dogbert2]

What is the main use this computer will be doing? I use DDR2-1066 in my desktop, and it does fine for most of what I do (some gaming, surfing, DVD ripping, virtualization/testing, software coding, etc).

In most cases, the stock coolers work pretty well, but airflow inside of your case is very important also.

 

[seekermeister]

What is the main use this computer will be doing? I use DDR2-1066 in my desktop, and it does fine for most of what I do (some gaming, surfing, DVD ripping, virtualization/testing, software coding, etc).

As I said in my OP, video encoding is where I believe that performance will play the most important part.

In most cases, the stock coolers work pretty well, but airflow inside of your case is very important also.

Understood, but even with a case with good cooling (HAF 922), I found that the CPU was running somewhat hotter than I cared for, until I added a CM HS/Fan to it, and that is only on an old S939 X2 processor. I will probably wait until I have this rig running to make a decision, but I still wanted to gain any advance insight possible now.

 

[Fumz]

I'm trying to decide which RAM or order, to go with a motherboard that I just ordered:

Asus M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 Socket AM3/ AMD 890GX New Board - eBay (item 190510537291 end time Jun-07-11 12:46:06 PDT)

I came across some Patriot RAM that is attractively priced:

Patriot Viper II PGV34G1600ELK 4096MB PC12800 DDR3 Dual Channel Memory Upgrade - 4GB (2 x 2048MB), 1600MHz at TigerDirect.com

Is this kit on your board's Qualified Vendor List?

edit
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/M4A89GTD_PRO/#MSL

 

[seekermeister]

No, there are RAMs that are similar, but vary by a letter in the prefix of the number. However, in the past, I have found that the QVLs are not comprehensive, and do not include all RAMs that will work okay. Plus, there is a Mem OK button on this board, which if I understand correctly, adjusts the MB to the RAM. However, I could be wrong.

 

[Fumz]

Hi seekermeister,

Is there a reason why you're opting for this kit over one that is on the list? Sure, it may work out just fine, and it probably will, but it could also just as easily not... or be temperamental.

Asus memok leds lets you know if there's a problem during the post. It'll blink once at post if all is OK, but if it stays lit, you're not booting up and the board is telling you you're booting because of a RAM issue.

 

[seekermeister]

It is not exactly that I'm opting for this RAM, it is just priced in a fashion that I like. There are many, many possible choices, but the only one that I have found so far, that is on the QVL, and I have found available, is ~$100, instead of ~$40.00. That is not a price difference that I want to pay, simply because it is on a QVL short list. At the same time, I do not want to buy something that is not going to work, therefore I was hoping that someone might have some kind of personal experience with this hardware, that would simplify my decision.

I went to the Corsair site, and failed to find a wizard or other method of matching their RAM with this motherboard, but I did find such on the Kingston site, and the RAM that they have that caught my eye, is not on the QVL either. The possible choices are endless.

 

[seekermeister]

I found another RAM in which the RAM configurator on the Patriot site, agreed with the QVL, but it is still somewhat more that I wanted to pay:

Patriot Memory Extreme Performance Pgs34g1600llka Ram | eBay

I was surprised to find it at that price on eBay, since TD wanted $121.99 for it.

 

[seekermeister]

Something else that I don't understand is CAS values. At one time, I understood that the lower the CAS, the better, but with these new DDR3 RAMS, it seems that the higher the number the better...is this true?

 

[Glhs958]

This kit is on the M4A89GTD PRO Series Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM

 

[Fumz]

I don't have first hand knowledge of that board, but I do recall a few threads around here about AMD memory issues. I can't recall what it is specifically the AM2/3's can't do (might be something about cas), but if you're going to get that board and buy off the qvl, you'd be well advised to find out. I'll dig around and see if I can find the threads I'm talking about.

Having said that, they market the Patriot kit as being designed for the P55. That's probably meaningless, but again, I don't know AMD chipsets and so that may be something worth looking into. However short the qvl is, there must be some inexpensive kits on there?

One of my quirks is never skimping on RAM or the PSU, so, lol, maybe I'm not the best person to assist?

 

[Fumz]

Something else that I don't understand is CAS values. At one time, I understood that the lower the CAS, the better, but with these new DDR3 RAMS, it seems that the higher the number the better...is this true?

No. Timing rules still apply. Lower is tighter and tighter is still better. DDR3 is only different than DDR2 or DDR in speed, timings, and voltage... otherwise they're essentially the same.

 

[Fumz]

This kit is on the M4A89GTD PRO Series Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM

Boom... there you go. Good link.

 

[ickymay]

Something else that I don't understand is CAS values. At one time, I understood that the lower the CAS, the better, but with these new DDR3 RAMS, it seems that the higher the number the better...is this true?

no , with the advent of higher buss speeds the stable latency has generally gone up a bit with DDR3 :/

CAS latency will always mean "how many clock cycles the memory module will delay in returning a data requested by the CPU"

 

[seekermeister]

Fumz,

That would be a good link, except that it is to Newegg, which I do not do business with. However, I did find that RAM on Amazon, which I occasionally do business with, if I can't find anyone else. This may be one of those occasions, but I shall keep shopping some before deciding. Thanks for the link.

 

[seekermeister]

Something else that I don't understand is CAS values. At one time, I understood that the lower the CAS, the better, but with these new DDR3 RAMS, it seems that the higher the number the better...is this true?

no , with the advent of higher buss speeds the stable latency has generally gone up a bit with DDR3 :/

CAS latency will always mean "how many clock cycles the memory module will delay in returning a data requested by the CPU"

Okay, but to put that into perspective, with two qualified RAMS, the one with the lower CAS would be the better performing...right?

 

[Fumz]

Something else that I don't understand is CAS values. At one time, I understood that the lower the CAS, the better, but with these new DDR3 RAMS, it seems that the higher the number the better...is this true?

no , with the advent of higher buss speeds the stable latency has generally gone up a bit with DDR3 :/

CAS latency will always mean "how many clock cycles the memory module will delay in returning a data requested by the CPU"

Okay, but to put that into perspective, with two qualified RAMS, the one with the lower CAS would be the better performing...right?

Yes. The lower the timings, the better the machine will perform.
Here's an AM3 memory link you might want to read before buying. They suggest the best kit for AM3 is cas 6 1333.
AMD AM3 Memory Performance Guide - Introduction

 

[Glhs958]

Just a question but why not newegg? I bet I have done $alot the last year threw them with only 2 or 3 doa's and rma was painless.
Yes the lower the cas is the better chip.